CARRABASSETT VALLEY – In 1969, Special Olympics Maine held the worlds very first Special Olympics Winter Games. It all began on a small hill in Gorham with only a handful of people. Today, in 2015 Special Olympics, Maine will send 490 athletes to Sugarloaf USA for the 46th annual Special Olympics Maine Winter Games.
The events will begin on Sunday evening with one of Maine’s largest community suppers. Citizens of Carrabassett Valley and surrounding areas will play host to the athletes by bringing in casseroles and desserts and serving more than 800 people. The evening activities kick off with outdoor skating and hot chocolate, a sing-a-long and karaoke.
The competition will be underway bright and early on Monday morning, and Opening Ceremonies featuring our parade of athletes, will begin at noon sharp. That evening athletes will be treated to a torchlight parade, fireworks and victory dance.
Enroute to Sugarloaf, Special Olympic teams will have the opportunity to take a break and stretch their legs at a rest stop courtesy of the Roderick-Crosby Post and Auxiliary #28 of Farmington. Hot chocolate and cookies will be provided to the athletes.
During the three day event athletes will compete in Nordic skiing, Alpine skiing, snowshoe, speed skating, and dual ski.
Special Olympics is a year round athletic training and competition program for adults and children with intellectual disabilities. In Maine there are more than 3,800 athletes involved in the program. The statewide organization offers more than 60 events annually at the local, and state levels. The State Winter Games at Sugarloaf will host nearly 500 athletes from 68 teams.
Competitions will run through Tuesday morning and will conclude with closing ceremonies at noon on Jan. 27.
